Peter The Great Dbq Analysis

Peter the Great was born to Tsar Alexis and grew up differently than many people of his time. “Peter proved a healthy child, lively and inquisitive. It is probably significant to his development that his mother’s former guardian, Artamon Sergeyevich Matveyev, had raised her in an atmosphere open to progressive influences from the West” (Britannica Academica). The fact that he grew up with a significant figure in his life who favored the west shaped his views in a major. Later in his reign, he focused on western civilization and how they thrived. Peter tried to implicate the same influences in Russia to further try and modernize and advance the culture, society, and government. Peter was a very lively and energetic child. “When Alexis died in 1676 Peter was only four years old. His elder half-brother, a sickly youth, then succeeded to the throne as Fyodor III” (Britannica

     During this same time Peter the Great sought to ¡°westernize¡± Russia. An autocratic tsar who had absoluter power, he did not wish to share it with his royal court. He moved the capital to St. Petersburg, and absorbed western intellectual and cultural trends. He forced all his nobles to cut of their beards, and instructed them to learn modern Western dances. Russia historically had an autocratic tsar like Peter, + the nobles have no political clout in the government. However, the nobles in Russia are huge landowners and had enormous powers over the serfs on their estates. This economic power, b/c serfs were almost like slaves, made them wealthy + prosperous. Thus, although Peter the Great rules without the input of anyone else, the nobles were westernized under his rule + enjoyed power over their serfs and economic gains.

He spent much of his childhood in the German district of the capital. There he became fascinated with the west. As an adult he toured Western Europe in an attempt to learn the latest advances in ship building as well as to campaign for a crusade against the Ottoman Empire. When he returned he continued to Westernize Russia . Some of his reforms are looked on by contemporary’s as overly fanatical for example he implemented a beard tax and forced social events to be mixed genders. ! He was the Master of bureaucracy. Peter I completely restructured the government on western models. He established a Privy Council staffed with his closest friends as well as organizing the senate in to different colleges. He secularized the government thus taking power away from the Russian Orthodox church. Peter also reorganized the army and defeated the Swedish empire in The Great Northern War. He then erected a new capital in the lands he gained and named it for his likeness Saint Petersburg. This city became an important trading hub because it had a warm water port and Russia could now trade overseas with the rest of Europe all year round. His wife Catherine succeeded him on his death in

Peter the Great was born to Tsar Alexis and grew up differently than many people of his time. “Peter proved a healthy child, lively and inquisitive. It is probably significant to his development that his mother’s former guardian, Artamon Sergeyevich Matveyev, had raised her in an atmosphere open to progressive influences from the West” (Britannica Academica). The fact that he grew up with a significant figure in his life who favored the west,shaped his views in a major way. Later in his reign, he focused on western civilizations and how they thrived. Peter tried to implicate the same influences in Russia to further try and modernize and advance the culture, society, and government. Peter was a very lively and energetic child. “When Alexis died in 1676 Peter was only four years old. His elder half-brother, a sickly youth, then succeeded to the throne as Fyodor

Peter recognized that his country was falling behind the European countries in knowledge, technology, trade, and governing ability. Using his absolute power as a czar, he brought in foreign advisers to help him modernize, westernize and educate his people. Peter had a great respect for Europe, and his reforms had a lasting influence in Russia, though there was of course opposition from the more conservative nobles.

While some of these social reforms (or decrees) may seem odd they are still felt today long after his death. In 1705 a decree was released that mandated changes in how men kept their facial hair. Apparently many men had unkempt facial hair and this was uncharacteristic in western countries. Incidentally the facial hair controversy directly resulted in Peter imposing one of many new taxes on the citizens. Facial hair was just one of many issues Peter focused on, he also imposed westernized clothing on the

Russia was also far more adaptive to Western culture than Japan was. Russia’s Peter I, or Peter the Great, was adamant about his subjects

On the other hand, one could say that Peter was not so preoccupied in making Russia into a naval power. A reason for this being that he did not just solely focus on the Navy, as he also focused on domestic reforms in Russia. He wanted to push Russia into the modern era and in order to do so he set about reforming Russia and its policy in a number of ways. The main aims of these policies were to westernise Russia.

Peter the Great became a sole ruler of Russia in 1696, made a general positive influence on Russia, and addressed many issues and reformed the country geographically, economically, culturally, and militarily.

If one would review the past of Europe during the16th and 17th centuries, they would find that it was an age of Prosperity due to the absolute monarchs that ruled during that time. These centuries were filled with great leaders such as Peter the Great and Louis XIV, that demonstrated all the characteristics of an absolute monarch and benefited the greater good in the lands they ruled. Peter the Great was such a great example of this that he changed Russia in a land of insignificance to one of great power. With this he also created the Russian newspaper, great trade, the Table of Ranks, and St. Petersburg which was Russia's warm water port. People such as Peter that were willing to defy the roles of an absolute monarch and bring new concepts

His accession to the throne appears to be a turning point. There appears to be a very small softening of attitudes and the style of rule used in regards to governing Russia. He sought to make nobles do their duty instead of merely leaching of the labor of serfs and of the state budget. Nobles were required to work and be productive such as performing service in either the military or in the government. Additionally Peter I also known as Peter the Great tried to gain the support of his people instead of ruling through force alone.

Peter was viewed as a great leader because of his acceptance of people. “...he permitted freedom of expression among his people.” (Fact Cite) During this period the citizens of Russia looked up to Peter seeing he allowed them to do as they please, as long as they weren’t breaking any rules. This added to his overall positive legacy because more citizens perceived him as a great ruler because he permitted people to speak their opinions. To add to his positive reign Peter created multiple industries. “...a great number of manufacturing establishments were founded.” (Britannica Academic) Amid Peter’s reign he was increasing Russia’s economy, to do this he opened new industries. By opening new industries it allowed Russia to produce more goods and trade with other countries, which expanded their economy's value. The final benefit Peter brought to Russia was building an army. Throughout his rule Peter provided a sense of safety because Russia now had a strong army to protect their country. In other words, Peter helped secure Russia because he secured the country from fearing attacks. “...the navy, which he personally created for the first time in Russian history.” (World History in Context) Making a strong army, allowing freedom of speech and increasing Russia’s economy are all reasons why his legacy had a positive impact on

Peter wanted to make Russia a great modern power and increase trade with the west. Furthermore, he embarked on a policy of westernization to help Russia prosper. Some of his policies based on westernization were that boyars were to shave their beards and wear western fashion. Also, he held grand parties in which mixing of genders was to be expected, to break the tradition of secluding upper-class women in separate quarters. To complete some other goals of his, he also brought all institutions under his control, such as the Russian Orthodox Church. Additionally, he compelled landowning nobles to serve the state in military or civilian positions. Several beneficial outcomes resulted from Peter’s bold social and economic reforms. Peter extend Russia’s western and southern borders and adopted mercantilist policies such as encouraging exports. Additionally, he built the largest military in Europe, created a world-class navy and ended a period of isolation. Peter also helped strengthen Russian academics by shortening the alphabet and established academies to study sciences, mathematics and engineering. Peter also created a new capital of Russia , St. Petersburg based on western

Peter the Great’s trip to the west brought back many technological and military advancements which helped Russia modernize and build a noteable military. Peter the Great was always fascinated by shipbuilding, so when he reached the Netherlands he became an apprentice to a shipbuilder in order to learn how to make his own fleet back in Russia as good as any European ship; thus giving Russia military power it had not possessed earlier. This causes Russia to build up its navy and eventually take land on the Baltic Sea, so now Russia has access to trade. Through this trade Russia is able to build up its economy and become an economic influence in the world. This shifts the balance of power because through the influence of other countries Russia

Peter the Great demanded that all his boyars shave their beards and his governmental officials to wear western clothing. Peter the Great even created a tax to be paid for man who has a beard and wishes to enter in the capital. In a way, Peter’s desire for westernization and growth of Russia caused him to make his rule absolute. Only through absolutism and regulations could Peter the Great successfully grow and modernize Russia. Therefore, any rebellion would be terminated immediately.